vampires of san francisco 08 - merry sucking christmas (7 page)

“Splendid, splendid. Very talented children. Of course they would be.”

“It’s truly my greatest pleasure watching them grow,” I say.

“Son, please talk to Hannah. I meant her no harm and I mean her no harm now. Your mom was quite the piece of work. She wasn’t always like that, you know. I know it’s wrong to talk about the dead but it was getting hard to deal with all her ugly.”

I’m shocked. I’ve never heard my father be so honest. As much as I don’t want to be happy my mother is gone, I can’t help but see it’s been a good thing for us all. If he hadn’t married Celine maybe we could actually have had a nice Christmas.

“I’ll talk to Hannah, Dad. We are all going to be together a lot the next few days. I think she was mostly shocked yesterday and she is fiercely protective of the babies.”

“I understand. We did her a great injustice. She seems to be a fine mother.”

“She is.” We’re interrupted by quacking and see that everyone is ready to go.

The tour takes off and soon we are whisking around San Francisco. Through Chinatown and past Ghiradelli Square. Dad is taking lots of photos and he and the twins are competing with each other over who can quack the most. It warms my heart. I look over at Celine and see her eyeing my children with malice. I’m going to end up accidently knocking her into the Bay, I swear.

After the tour I take Celine and Dad to a little place in Sausalito for a seafood lunch. I’ve packed the twins blood bottles that are opaque and encourage them to eat some seafood too. They’re not sure they like it. We want to provide them with a wide range of foods to try. Dad keeps feeding Fiona shrimp. She watches anxiously as he peels them for her. I think she likes the legs the most.

Celine is pouting. She obviously doesn’t like the attention being kept from her. She is playing with her food and phone, ignoring us. So rude.

Hannah should be up by now and on her way to the mission to help prepare dinner with Lily and family. I am actually a little disappointed that I can’t join them. I love the whole extended family. We don’t spend enough time with everybody in attendance.

“Diel, this is the best seafood that I’ve ever had. Thank you, son. I think I could use a nap, though. Your old man is getting soft. Think we could head back after lunch?”

“Of course, Dad. I could drop you guys off at Sebastian’s and still go and help everyone at the mission. Since I’m the only one that actually eats food, I think I should be there to supervise,” I say and laugh. Dad laughs back.

“Never thought I’d see the day when a nest of vampires cook for the homeless. Your friends are truly unusual.”

“That they are.”

“I want to go shopping, Pooksie. You can have your nap later.” Celine is in full pout mode.

“How about I take you both to Lily and Sebastian’s and then Annie or Sacha can take Celine shopping? I know they are both home right now helping to get everything ready for tonight.”

Celine does not look happy but Dad does. That’s all I need. I pay the bill and make a discreet phone call to Hannah.

“Hey, babe. Everything’s fine. Dad wants to take a nap but Celine wants to shop. Do you think Sacha or Annie will take her?”

“I don’t know, Diel. That’s asking a lot. I hate to make the girls feel they have to do that.”

“I’ll give them a huge Christmas bonus if they do, tell them. Then I can come and help at the mission.”

“I’ll call the girls and then call you back. I’d love to see you. What about the twins?”

“I’ll bring them with me. They’ve been great all day. They’ll probably take a nap on the way home.”

“Good, I’ll call you back. Love you.”

“Love you too, babe. Ciao.”

“Bye, babe.”

I walk back into the restaurant and find Finn climbing up my dad while Fiona has a big cookie in her mouth. I sigh internally and prepare to wash their fingers and faces. A nap would be good. I’ll have to leave it to dad, though.

“Hey Dad, let’s get these kids wrangled and head home. Hannah is calling the girls about shopping and she’ll call me back.” I reach for the wipes in the diaper bag and start to clean sticky fingers. “We’ll drive over the Golden Gate on the way home.”

“I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open.” He chuckles and hands me Finn. Celine looks disgusted at my son’s messy face. Finn reaches for her and she shrieks and jumps back. I have to hide my laugh but Dad lets his loose. If looks could kill, Dad would be dead. Celine holds nothing back.

“Ce-Ce, honey, when our little bun in the oven is born you’ll have to get used to messes.”

“That’s what nannies are for, pooksie.”

“Surely you want to take an active role in your child’s upbringing?” I ask her.

“No, not really.” Dad frowns. “I mean of course I’ll love it,” she says backtracking.

I roll my eyes and finish cleaning up the twins. It doesn’t take us long to get home and I drop them off at Lily’s. Annie and Sacha agreed to take Celine shopping. I agreed to give them each five hundred to shop with. I quickly make the money appear from my account and hand the girls each their bonus with my gratitude.

“Have fun, Ce-Ce. Diel, I’ll see you later. I can’t wait until the kids see what I’ve brought them.” Dad yawns. “I’m going to retire now.” He walks off towards the guest rooms. Celine looks pissed. The girls soon start to fawn over her and her mood picks up.

“What kind of shopping do you want to do, Celine?” Sacha asks.

“Any and everything. I’d like to get some new clothes. Haute couture. The real stuff not the knock offs we have down under.”

“We can find something I’m sure,” Annie says. She raises an eyebrow at me and I shrug. Nothing I can do about Celine.

“I’m off, ladies. You’ll be able to reach me on my cell. We should be home about seven tonight.”

“Bye, Diel.” Both girls wave as I scoop up my kids and head to the mission.

13. Lilith

Things are crazy at the mission but we find our rhythm finally. Dinner is made and we just finished serving second helpings. Now all we have to do is clean up and Aidan is taking care of that so it will be finished in a blink of the eye. Literally.

Next on the agenda is an early mass at the Catholic Church in our neighborhood. I’m not sure why they call it early. It starts at nine-thirty and is over at eleven. Sebastian said they don’t do the late masses anymore. Hannah, Sebastian and I are going with Maddie. Diel is positive he and their children will burst into flames if they attempt to enter the church and are going to go to our house to help Annie and Sacha with the rest of the preparations. I’d rather be doing that but I know this is important to Bast.

“Lily, ma cherie, hurry or we will be late.”

“I’m coming. Just giving Diel some last-minute instructions. Helena and Julian are going to help him.”

“Bien, come mon amour. Mattie, I’ll carry you, it’s raining.”

We walk out to the SUV and get Hannah and Mattie snug in the backseat. I climb into the front with Sebastian’s help. Bless heated seats. We drive to church in the dark night with the rain christening this Christmas Eve. I can’t help but reflect on our last year. So many moments that I never want to forget. I am the happiest that I have ever been. 

“We’re here. Hannah, did you find the extra umbrella in the back?”

“I did, Sebastian. No worries. Get your wife and daughter into the church. I’ll be right behind you.”

We make a mad dash to get in before we get too wet. The church is lined in candles as well as a personal one for each of us. The service is beautiful and I now understand why Sebastian fought for us to be here. It’s peaceful and reinforces the right things about the season. Not all the gifts and decorating. Of course I’m not ready to give those up. I always donate heavily and anonymously to charities all year long. This year we are giving out homeless packs as well. 

Two nights ago Sebastian, Mattie, and I took packages around to anyone living on the streets that we could find. The packs contained a sleeping bag, heavy socks, a bag of oranges, toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries. We also included gift certificates to places where they could buy shoes and clothes as well as food. There were also add-ons for people who had pets. Kibble and collars and leashes. Anything I could think of that would make someone’s life a bit warmer and safer went into the packages. Mattie received an important message that night. She asked a lot of questions and was very quiet on the way home. She told me that we should do this all year long. I agree. We made a deal between the three of us that we would do it every three months.

When mass is over, we run back to the car.

“Mattie, what did you think of the mass?” I ask my bright-eyed daughter as she gets herself buckled in.

“I loved it, Mamma. I like the candles the best and singing.” I laugh at her exuberance. 

I glance at Sebastian and he looks so content. I have to grab his hand and pull it close to me. He sighs and starts the car. Our drive home is short. We pull up to our house, aglow in lights and greenery. All our friends are visible in the windows as we walk to the front door. I’m filled with warm feelings and am so excited to spend the rest of the night with my family. The twins are going to stay the night with Mattie so they are here tomorrow first thing and to give Diel and Hannah some time together. Manda, Aidan, and Sammy will pop over when everyone is up so Santa can come.

We open the door to warmth and cheers. Even Diel’s dad says Happy Christmas. In fact the only person not wearing a huge smile is Celine. That is until she sees Sebastian. Oh yeah, my cat claws just came out. I know Bast has no desire to even talk to her but I still want to protect him.

“Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!” Sebastian calls out.

“Merry Christmas!” everyone yells back. Sebastian is grinning so hard I can see laugh lines around his eyes. He “died” way too young to have any serious wrinkles but was happy in life and the evidence shows when he smiles so wide.

“Pappa, can I take Sammy, Finn, and Fiona to my room to play?” Mattie asks.

“Oui, ma petite. But we will be opening presents soon, so be ready.”

“Yay! Let’s go to my room and play.”

All the children follow Mathilda out of the room like little ducklings. Manda smiles at me as she catches me watching them. 

“Let’s have some wine and brandy. Who would like some?” I ask.

I spend the next several minutes handing out the mulled wine and brandy with Annie’s help.

Sacha brings out a huge tray of appetizers and cookies. I had it catered so no one would have to cook. The way Diel’s dad looks at them it won’t last long. Even Celine is eyeing everything greedily. Diel swoops in and steals a bacon wrapped scallop.

“I hope this will tide you over. I have fresh oysters and prime rib for after the presents.”

“Oh, dear, you have outdone yourself. Thank you for the feast,” Doxie tells me. I’m quite shocked by his genuine sentiments. Everyone is looking between us, unable to believe it. I quickly recover, not wanting to make it awkward for my guests.

“You’re so welcome Doxie. I hope you enjoy. Let’s get everyone settled because I know the children are excited for this next part,” I announce. “Andrew, will you gather the children?”

“It would be my pleasure, Miss Lily.”

Soon we are all seated with drinks and or snacks. Sebastian takes over for me and starts to hand out presents. Liam helps and when we are all ready to open we tell the children that we will go in order of age to open our presents. The kids start to try and guess everyone’s age. 

“The youngest goes first. That would be Samuel,” Bast says.

Sammy grins and tears into his new train set from Hannah and Diel. He jumps up and down in his excitement. He has the big train to ride but was in obviously desperate need of some smaller engines. It brings a warm feeling washing over me at his joy. Next it’s Mattie’s turn.

“Ma petite, this is a special present from your pappa,” Sebastian says. Mattie looks at him with hero worship and opens the small box. It’s a beautiful white gold locket. She opens it and there is a picture of Bast and me.

“It says on the back that ‘you are my heart’ in French. You are Mathilda. You and your mamma are my life.” Bast’s voice cracks at the end. If I could cry again I would. My eyes are burning all the same and I see the same look in Helena’s eyes when I look at her.

Mattie leaps up and throws her arms around Bast’s neck and he holds her very close whispering in her ear something none of us can hear but she smiles.

Bast clears his throat. “Now it’s Finn’s turn. He was a few minutes younger than you, Fiona.” Sebastian hands Finn a present and we see Doxie rub his hands together. He must have gotten this for him.

Finn opens the gift and it’s a Pick Your Plague board game. Diel chuckles until he gets a swift hit to the ribs by Hannah. I take it she thinks it’s about as appropriate as I do. Ugh. I imagine she is trying to calculate how to stuff that in a closet.

“That was one of your daddy’s favorite games when he was a boy. Hope you like it, Finn.”

Since Finn can’t read yet he just nods his head and says thank you. Now it’s Fiona’s turn. Another Doxie present, it seems. She gets a real voodoo doll that screams when you push a pin in it. Gah. Poor Hannah. She is going to have a fight on her hands because Fiona is loving it. Finn is helping make the dolly scream. 

It’s Manda’s turn. Aidan goes onto his knees in front of her and whips a huge folder out of thin air.

“Manda, love, when I met you, you had big dreams to go to college and become a biologist. I never want you to give up on your dreams. I took the liberty of enrolling you at the University of Colorado, Boulder campus. Your classes are already selected, just basic requirements to get you started. You can pick everything out from now on. Sammy and I will take you and pick you up from school every day.”

“Oh my gosh! Aidan.” She brings a hand up to cover her eyes. Aidan gently lowers it. “I love you so much. Thank you, my love.” Manda’s having a hard time not breaking down. Aidan did well. He gathers her in his arms and kisses the top of her head.

“Andrew and Liam, you’re next. Diel and Hannah have a gift for you,” Bast announces.